The Chevrolet HHR could well be on the way out as its sister vehicle, the Chevrolet Cobalt, is discontinued. The Cobalt is making way for the Chevy Cruze, which will arrive in dealerships in the United States and Canada beginning in September 2010.

But first, some background on the styling and the car. The HHR, which stands for Traditional High Roof, is one of many retro-style cars that have appeared since the 1990s. The Volkswagen New Beetle and Ford Thunderbird were among the earliest representations of this phenomenon, with the Chrysler PT Cruiser perhaps being the best seller of all.

retro style

The Chevrolet HHR, which made its debut for the 2006 model year, is one of the last of the retro pack, a design initiative that seems to have passed by. At first, retro cars were seen as offering the best of traditional vehicle styling combined with modern technology. The idea here was that if you loved your super car from the 1960s, then you’ll love it redesigned for contemporary driving.

One note: yes, the retro segment is still going strong when it comes to pony cars. The Ford Mustang, Dodge Challenger, and Chevrolet Camaro are visible proof that when it comes to incorporating older styling cues, coupes have it. Beyond this particularly narrow segment, the retro styling is not a hit.

Panel Trucks

Now back to the Chevrolet HHR. Like the Chrysler PT Cruiser, the HHR is styled after a panel truck, popular vehicles in the 1950s. In fact, Chevrolet says it was the 1949 Chevrolet Suburban that was used to design the HHR.

Much smaller and lighter than their predecessors, newer panel trucks feature four-cylinder engines and can get at least 30 miles per gallon on the highway. Surprisingly roomy inside, the Chevrolet HHR has become a favorite for business accounts who appreciate their storage capacity, but definitely don’t need a van or truck.

MexicanBuilt

The HHR is powered by a 2.2-liter or 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine paired with a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission. Built in Mexico, this front-wheel drive vehicle gets 22 mpg city and 32 mpg highway. But it is its location in Mexico that could extend the useful life of this vehicle by several years.

In fact, Ramos Arizpe, Mexico, is a very different place than Lordstown, Ohio, which previously produced the Chevrolet Cobalt and now produces the Chevrolet Cruze. Ramos Arizpe has two assembly plants and plants dedicated to stamping, motor and transmission. The Cadillac SRX and other compact crossovers are also built at these plants, which means that as long as an assembly line is available and demand holds up, the HHR could continue to be built.

continued mounting

Looking beyond the 2011 model year, the Chevrolet HHR’s lifespan is in doubt, unless GM decides to stick with the same styling Chrysler did with the PT Cruiser throughout its 11 model years. That’s entirely possible, especially if the demand holds up. With the PT Cruiser out of the way, the only compact competition for the HHR is the Ford Transit Connect, a completely different and more expensive model than the Chevrolet HHR.